India Emerges as Major Pulse Importer in 2024-25 Amid Domestic Shortfalls
India Emerges as Major Pulse Importer in 2024-25 Amid Domestic Shortfalls
India’s pulse imports have surged in the 2024-25 fiscal year, positioning the country as a significant player in the global pulse market. India forecasts imports reaching 6.71 million tonnes, marking a 52% increase over the previous year and nearly tripling the average annual volume between 2018-19 and 2022-23.
Several factors contribute to this substantial rise:
- Domestic Production Challenges: Inconsistent production levels in key pulse-growing regions have led to supply shortfalls. India’s Pulses Imports Surge to Record 66.33 Lakh Tonnes in 2024
- Government Measures: To stabilize prices and meet domestic demand, the Indian government has relaxed import restrictions, particularly on yellow peas, and sanctioned significant procurement of various pulses.
The anticipated import volumes for major pulses are:
- Yellow Peas: 2.04 million tonnes (Pulses import jumps 90% in FY24 to 4.7 mn tonnes to meet domestic demand | Agriculture – Business Standard)
- Chickpeas: 1.31 million tonnes (India’s import of pulses may fall to 40-45 lakh tons in FY25, from 47.38 lakh tons in FY24: Industry – The Economic Times)
- Lentils: 1.29 million tonnes
Yellow peas are expected to dominate imports due to relaxed restrictions and competitive global pricing. (India’s import of pulses may fall to 40-45 lakh tons in FY25, from 47.38 lakh tons in FY24: Industry – The Economic Times)
Domestic Production and Stock Levels
The government forecasts the rabi (winter) harvest to yield 11.54 million tonnes of chickpeas and 1.82 million tonnes of lentils, slightly higher than the previous year. However, as of March 5, government pulse stocks totaled only 1.36 million tonnes, less than half the target levels. Procurement plans include 1.11 million tonnes of chickpeas, 940,000 tonnes of lentils, and 1.32 million tonnes of pigeon peas.
Global Market Implications
India’s increased imports have significant implications for global pulse markets. Notably, China’s imposition of a 100% tariff on Canadian peas may lead to surplus Canadian output, potentially influencing global pea prices. Mandi Bhav
